07 Micro Amps vs. other modules.

OK. This is a bit complicated, but it's sort of my area so I'll have a crack at it...

Though there are no modules in the Micro line, the electronics themselves are equivalent to modules used in other lines, more or less.

The 07 Micro has electronics that are somewhere between a Desktop module and a Home module in terms of circuit design - pobably closer to Home module. The output transistors are top of the line though, unlike any 'modules' except for the Max module.

The 07 Ultra Micro has the same electronics design and components as a Max Module. There may be some slight differences in biasing to accomodate heat in the small space, though there may not - HR will have to confirm that.

Will an Ultra Micro sound as good as Max if you run it using a DPS? No. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, the DPS is a smilar supply to that used in the Home and Max lines, however is a single power supply for both channels of audio. In the Home and Max amps, there are dual supplies for separation of the left and right channels right back to the power connector.

Secondly, there is much less capacticance on the power input in the Micro (as you can see from those 4 small caps in the photos - compare with the final row of caps nearest the module in a Home or Max). The quality of these caps is significantly improved in the Max amp itself as well, though these two points together account for only a relatively small difference.

The quality of the volume potentiometer is much lower in the Micro, not by intentionally trying to select a bad one, but by the limits of size. The little alps pot in there is actually the best in its size class, but is less transparent than the larger continuous potentiometers and particularly the standard Stepped Attenuator in the Max.

I would also hazard a small guess that with the thinner panels and more condensed circuitry in the little Micro, it will be a little less immune to RFI and other environmental problems than a Home or Max, though that's really grasping at straws a bit.

How much of a difference does that add up to? You'd really have to sit them side by side and decide for yourself, but the differences will be small but detectable. For the price difference, I'd say they would be surprisingly close.

And if you really want a HR sound quality line up, here's my opinion:

(assuming a DPS as power supply where appropriate...)

Micro -> Desktop w/Home Module -> Ultra Micro -> Desktop w/Max Module -> Home with Max Module -> Max

Sloth, so would the $400 DPS be a noticeable upgrade for the Ultra Micro Amp and DAC or would it be best to save the money and stick with the Brick Supply? or spend the $200 on the Switching Supplies?

Get the DPS. Simple!

Hi TheSloth,

I recently purchased an Ultra Micro DAC that I'm using with a Hornet amp and a MacBook Pro as a source. I'm playing flac files on the MacBook Pro through the optical out. I'm just using this at home, not portable.

I'm thinking of getting trying the Ultra Micro Amp. I also am wondering what might sound and/or work better for me. I guess the other question I have is where do you think the Balanced Desktop with DAC would fit in?

Thanks,

Buddy

The Balanced Desktop with Home modules has a different, but equally good sound as a standard Desktop with Max modules IMO, after some time comparing them. Once you are comparing balanced with single ended, things get a bit tricky, partly because the amount of improvement you will get depends on your headphones (general wisdom is 650's improve the most). So, for example, whilst I wouldn't hesitate to say that the Max module is clearly better sounding than the Home module, but with balanced drive, a balanced set of Home modules is up there with single ended Max modules but with a slightly different signature.

I'd put it like this:

Micro -> Desktop w/Home Module -> Ultra Micro -> (Desktop w/Max Module)/(Balanced Desktop w/Home Module) -> Home with Max Module -> Max -> Balanced Home with Max Module -> Balanced Max

Thanks,

I have 580's at the moment. I'm hoping they would do fairly well with balanced cables.

Buddy

No way! Offer a steady job to a working musician!? You want I should ruin his career?

Our dear Sloth had 15 guys move his piano up to his apartment in NY City, that's how serious a player he is. (Pretty sure he's doing way better in his gig than I could do for him, too.)

Thanks, Daniel.

Tyll we should make Sloth's Headroom Module Archive a sticky in this forum. pictures were lost from when Head-Fi went down plus the URL changed. here's the new one. HeadRoom Module Archive

And in a few weeks they will be carrying it out again... bye bye NY!

But, about that job, you never know, might be fun...